Customer Reviews

Bugles and a Tiger: A Volume of Autobiography

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This is the story of a young officer coming into age in the dying days of the British Raj. John Masters writes with a wit and detachment that endears him to all those interested in "raj" era books. More attractive is his detailed account of life in a Gurkha regiment with a full account of the customs of the Gurkhas, their strengths(considerable as they were) and their weaknesses.
The spit and polish of the old British Indian army are brought out in full measure and so are the martial attributes of the Afghans against whom his regiment was deployed. He is full of praise for their tactical ingenuity and their harsh lifestyle against whom he was pitted so many times.
All in all I rate this book a classic and a must for any student of military history.

A wonderful account of life in a Ghurka regiment, personal and lots of attention to detail, the reader is drawn to the authors authentic and colorful approach. I highly recommend this, i only wish i had known James Masters! after reading this, find a copy of the sequel" The Road Past Mandalay". wondeful stuff, about a little covered theater of WW2. In my youth had an opportunity to train with a Ghurka unit, they are all James Masters said they are and then some!

Not so much a "war story" as the story of growth amid a most incredible set of surroundings and traditions virtually lost to modern history.